The 22 all-time greatest college baseball programs

OK, Fordham might not seem like a household college baseball name, but no program in the history of the sport has more than the Rams. Baseball was first played there in the 1850s and the program, in its current, official NCAA form, has won more than 4,500 games. Now, the Rams have never reached the College World Series, but have qualified for the NCAA tournament six times — most recently in 2019.

Notable players: Frankie Frisch, Pete Harnisch, Nick Martinez 

In 2024, Tennessee reached the College World Series for the seventh time, and made the final series for the first time since a 1951 runner-up finish. The program has indeed taken off under the guidance of head coach Tony Vitello, who has taken the Volunteers to the super regionals four times (2021–‘24), and made three College World Series appearances (2021, 2023, 2024). They entered the 2024 event as the No. 1 seed. 

Notable players: R. A. Dickey, Todd Helton, Luke Hochevar, J. P. Arencibia

Like Tennessee, the Aggies made their first appearance in the College World Series final series for the first time in 2024. That said, it was the eighth time the program participated in the event, and the second time over a three-year span. Texas A&M has also won 11 regional championships, and continues to prove that the program is among the most consistently successful ones in the game.

Notable players: Chuck Knoblauch, Brooks Raley. Michael Wacha

From the mighty SEC, Arkansas has made 11 appearances in the College World Series, which is fourth-most for a program that has never won the event. Now, the Razorbacks did finish second in 1979 and again in 2018, so they’ve been close. In total, Arkansas has made 35 NCAA tournament appearances and is 16-9 in the super regionals. The Razorbacks have also won the SEC championship two of the last four seasons.

Notable players: Kevin McReynolds, Andrew Benintendi, Kevin Klopps

With a 2024 College World Series berth, UNC will make its 12th appearance in the event. That’s the good news. The bad? The Tar Heels have yet to win it all. Those 12 trips are tied for third-most among programs that have never won a national championship. North Carolina did lose in the final series in 2006 and ’07, but this will be its eighth stop at the CWS this century. And, Carolina has made seven consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, making it one of the premier programs over the past 20 years.

Notable players: Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, Matt Harvey, Brian Roberts, Andrew Miller, Jacob Stallings, Zac Gallen

So, which program has made the most College World Series appearances without winning a national title? How about the Seminoles. They just punched their 24th ticket to the CWS in 2024, more than any non-winner of the event. Florida State, which featured one of the game’s all-time great coaches in Mike Martin Sr. (2,029 wins), also holds the CWS record among non-winners for victories (30), and has finished runner-up in the event three times (1970, ’86 and ’99) — which are also the most by a program that has never won it all.

Notable players: Terry Kennedy, J.D. Drew, Buster Posey

National team championships at Michigan are not limited to the football and basketball programs. The Wolverines won national baseball titles in 1953, behind All-American Bruce Haynan and iconic coach Ray Fisher, and again in ’62. Entering the 2024 season, the Wolverines were the fourth-winningest program in the country. Michigan appeared in the College World Series six more times — most recently in 2019, when it lost to Vanderbilt in a three-game final series.

Notable players: Steve Howe, Rick Leach, Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin, Jim Abbott, Jake Cronenworth

Considering all the success Oklahoma State has enjoyed on the diamond, it still seems remarkable that the program’s lone NCAA championship came all the way back in 1959. Now, the Cowboys did reach the finals of the College World Series five more times since, and they’ve qualified for the storied postseason event on 20 occasions, most recently in 2016. Oklahoma State’s 49 NCAA tournament appearances are tied for third-most all time. Meanwhile, it’s made the tournament 11 consecutive seasons.

Notable players: Pete Incaviglia, Robin Ventura 

Though the Sooners’ college baseball success hasn’t always been consistent, the program continues to be competitive with the best in the country. Oklahoma won its first national championship in 1951, but its next, and most recent, didn’t come until 1994. The Sooners have reached the CWS 11 times, most recently in 2022, when they fell short of the championship by losing in the finals to upstart Ole Miss.

Notable players: Bobby Witt, Mark Redman

The Sun Devils program was the gold standard for college baseball for parts of the 1970s and ’80s. Arizona State’s five national championships rank fourth all time, with all coming between 1965-’81. It also finished the second five times (1972, 1973, 1978, 1988, 1998). Though Arizona State last made the College World Series in 2010, and hasn’t qualified for the NCAA tournament since 2021, the program ranks third all-time in CWS finals appearances and second in overall CWS visits (20). ASU posted 54 consecutive 30-win seasons during one stretch.

Notable players: Jim Palmer, Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, Bob Horner, Barry Bonds, Dustin Pedroia 

The Bulldogs are no strangers to the College World Series, taking part in the event 12 times. However, they only have the 2021 national title to their name. That’s not to say the program isn’t elite. Mississippi State has won 11 SEC championships and 16 regional titles. Known for their wealth of pitching over the years, the Bulldogs have had 19 players selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, entering 2024.

Notable players: Del Unser, Rafael Palmeiro, Will Clark, Chris Stratton, Hunter Renfroe 

Another program that has come on this century to brand itself as one of the best in the country. Since 2002, the Gamecocks have reached the College World Series finals six times, with their two national championships coming in 2010 and ’11 — making them the most recent team to win back-to-back titles. South Carolina has been runner-up on four occasions (1975, 1977, 2002, 2012). Now, the Gamecocks made their 11th and most recent CWS appearance in 2012, but won regional titles in 2016, ’18 and ’23.

Notable players: Jackie Bradley Jr., Christian Walker, Jordan Montgomery, Clarke Schmidt

Another program that isn’t as dominant as in the past, but still seemingly capable of making a national-title run in any given season. Miami’s four national championships (1982, 1985, 1999, 2001) are tied for fifth-most all time, and it also has a pair of runner-up finishes to its credit. The Hurricanes, who last reached the College World Series in 2016, rank second in the history of that event with 25 appearances. While their 48 CWS victories sit fourth-most overall. 

Notable players: Pat Burrell, Ryan Braun, Yasmani Grandal

The Titans don’t play in a power conference but still remain one of the most storied programs in the sport. A four-time national champion (1979, 1984, 1995, 2004), Fullerton reached the College World Series finals five times and has appeared in the event a total of 18. Most recently coming with back-to-back visits in 2016 and ’17. Legendary coach Augie Garrido guided the team through its initial success, beginning in the late 1970s and up through the 1996 season. The Titans are impressive, with a 163-90 record in the NCAA tournament.

Notable players: Tim Wallach, Phil Nevin, Mark Kotsay, Kurt Suzuki, Justin Turner, Matt Chapman, Michael Lorenzen

Since the early 2000s, Vandy has been one of the premier baseball programs in the country. All five of the Commodores’ trips to the College World Series have come since 2011, with the most recent coming in 2021 and their national titles won in 2014 and ’19. They were also runners-up in 2015 and 2021. In all, Vanderbilt has won 10 regional titles since 2011, and qualified for the NCAA tournament 18 consecutive seasons, beginning in 2006.

Notable Players: David Price, Dansby Swanson, Pedro Alvarez, Carson Fulmer, Tony Kemp

Stanford won its two national championships in back-to-back seasons of 1987 and ’88. The Cardinal then finished second three times during the 2000s (2000, 2001, 2003), proving their capability of sustaining a high level of success. In all, Stanford has appeared in the College World Series 19 times, including three straight trips from 2021-’23. Despite missing out in 2024, the Cardinal have made 37 appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Notable players: Jack McDowell, Mike Mussina, Steve Buechele, Carlos Quentin, Nico Hoerner

National champions under the wildly popular and lauded coach Kevin O’Sullivan in 2017, the Gators headed to their 14th CWS, and second in a row.  A year ago, Florida pushed SEC rival LSU to the three-game limit in the final series before falling short.

Notable players: David Eckstein, Mike Zunino, Brady Singer 

One of nine programs to win at least three college baseball national championships. The Beavers’ titles came in 2006, 2007 and 2018. Oregon State has certainly made the most of its opportunities at the College World Series. In seven trips to the event, the Beavers own a 20-12 record. Since 2015, they’ve won nine regional championships, including this season of 2024. Oregon State has qualified for the NCAA tournament 23 times, including each of the last seven seasons.

Notable players: Jacoby Ellsbury, Michael Conforto, Nick Madrigal, Adley Rutschman

Casual fans of the college game might forget just how consistently successful the Arizona baseball program has been. The Wildcats have won four national championships in three different decades (1976, 1980, 1986, 2012), and also were runners-up four more times (1956, 1959, 1963, 2016). The first three of those titles came under the venerable Jerry Kindall. A total of 20 times has Arizona competed in the College World Series, while the program has won more than 3,000 games.

Notable players: Terry Francona, Ron Hassey, Trevor Hoffman, Kenny Lofton, J. T. Snow

Yes, the Trojans have not qualified for the NCAA tournament since 2015, last made the College World Series in 2001 and their most recent national title came in 1998. These truly are not your father’s Trojans. However, in the annals of college baseball, USC is still rather mighty when it comes to the history books. No program has won more national championships than USC’s 12. The Trojans also rank first in CWS finals appearances (14), second in wins (74) and fourth in overall event appearances (21). Legendary coach Rod Dedeaux won 11 of those titles.

Notable players: Tom Seaver, Fred Lynn, Roy Smalley, Dave Kingman, Randy Johnson, Mark McGwire, Barry Zito, Mark Prior

Sure, it’s been a while since the Longhorns won a national title, but their six such championships rank third all time. The last came in 2005, with their most recent runner-up finish — and sixth in school history — from 2009. Texas, which has won more than 3,700 games in program history, is the all-time leader with 63 NCAA tournament appearances and 38 trips to the College World Series, most recently in 2022. From 1997-2016, the Longhorns were guided by legendary skipper Augie Garrido, who won 1,975 games during his illustrious career.

Notable players: Burt Hooton, Roger Clemens, Greg Swindell, Huston Street, Brandon Belt

The Tigers won’t have a chance to repeat as national champions in 2024, but when it comes to the country’s premier college baseball programs, at the moment, it’s tough to beat what’s going on in Baton Rouge. The Tigers are second all time with seven national titles, three of which came since 2003. They were also runners-up in 2017. LSU has made 12 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, and won 15 regional championships since 2000. It’s 19 appearances in the CWS are tied for sixth-most in college baseball history.

Notable players: Ben McDonald, Todd Walker, Alex Bregman, Aaron Nola, Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews